Ronald Reagan and the Firing of the Air Traffic Controllers

Andrew E. Busch

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English

University Press of Kansas
31 July 2024

Central government; Trade unions; Industrial arbitration & negotiation

Series: Landmark Presidential Decisions

On August 3, 1981, over 12,000 members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Association (PATCO) walked off their jobs, striking for higher pay, shorter hours, and increased benefits. Unexpectedly, President Ronald Reagan decided to fire the strikers, prosecute their leaders, and decertify their union. This swift and unwavering decision was a shocking reversal of the sympathy and support Reagan showed PATCO during his campaign ten months earlier, which had earned him the union’s endorsement.

Andrew Busch, an expert on the Reagan presidency, explores this overlooked decision, showing the many ways that it set the tone for Reagan’s two terms in the White House. It was a contested decision both within the administration and in the public sphere, though it ultimately proved popular. Reagan’s action demonstrated his commitment to upholding federal labor law, limiting federal spending, and cutting inflation. He also modeled his management style of delegating to subordinates and supporting his guidance with decisive judgment when necessary.

More broadly, this decision had long-term significance that far exceeded its immediate importance. The response to the PATCO strike formed a pattern for future decisions and made a strong impression on foreign adversaries. It also contributed to the declining power of unions, marking a shift in labor politics that has continued to this day.

Andrew Busch brings a wealth of insight to this concise and accessible book, making it an ideal entry into understanding Ronald Reagan’s domestic policy and leadership, and a fine addition to the Landmark Presidential Decisions series.

By: Andrew E. Busch
Imprint: University Press of Kansas
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 140mm,
ISBN: 9780700636907
ISBN 10: 0700636900
Series: Landmark Presidential Decisions
Pages: 180
Publication Date: 31 July 2024
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Andrew E. Busch is Crown Professor of Government and George R. Roberts Fellow at Claremont McKenna College and the author of Reagan’s Victory and Truman’s Triumphs, both from Kansas.

Reviews for Ronald Reagan and the Firing of the Air Traffic Controllers

Ronald Reagan’s 1981 confrontation with the nation’s air traffic controllers looms as one of the most significant events in both labor and presidential history. In this compact and highly readable treatment, eminent political scientist Andrew Busch brings fresh analysis to this turning-point episode and illuminates why its influence still resonates more than four decades later.""""—Joseph A. McCartin, author of Collision Course: Ronald Reagan, the Air Traffic Controllers, and the Strike that Changed America""""Busch has written an engaging and accessible case study that has great cross-discipline appeal. It’s a must-read for students of the US presidency!""""—Marcus Witcher, author of Getting Right with Reagan: The Struggle for True Conservatism, 1980–2016 """"This book is a balanced and perceptive analysis of a pivotal moment in the Reagan presidency. With keen insight and thorough research, Andrew Busch tells why Reagan broke the PATCO strike, and how he made his decision stick. The book also offers a deep and nuanced look at the decision’s long-term consequences, both at home and abroad. Ronald Reagan and the Firing of the Air Traffic Controllers is essential reading for anybody who wants to understand the politics of the 1980s.""""—John J. Pitney Jr., author of After Reagan: Bush, Dukakis, and the 1988 Election